3 Days ‘Basoa Baisakhi Mahotsav’ concludes on an astounding note at Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex Jammu

360 Degree 3D Virtual Reality Video Stall of Tourist Department witnesses humongous response from public

JAMMU, April 16: In continuation with their endeavour to promote the cultural legacy and heritage of Jammu region, the Directorate of Tourism Jammu under the overall supervision of Secretary, Tourism, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, organized multitude of promotional cultural events encompassing Jammu Division to celebrate the “Basoa Baisakhi Mahotsav” with grandeur and fanfare.

The centre of the grand Baisakhi celebrations was Mubarak Mandi where the central lawns were metamorphed and beautifully decorated into a ‘Dogra Village’ exhibiting Dogra Heritage with the theme “Mere Desae Da Shalaepa’’ with live pottery, live parola art, live Basohli Paintings and other artefacts of Jammu region were replicated which received immense response from the visiting public and tourists.

One of the major highlights of the grand Baisakhi Mahotsav was showcasing of various Tourist Destinations of Jammu region in 360 degrees 3D through VR cameras at Mubarak Mandi which witnessed humongous response from people and there was high demand to make it a regular feature at special counters especially at Jammu Airport, Jammu Railway Station, Katra Railway Station. The 3D Virtual Reality Stall of Tourism Department witnessed long queues and crowd on all three days of the “Basoa Baisakhi Mahotsav” at Mubarak Mandi.

The 3D VR experience of snow clad mountains of Bhaderwah and Paragliding experience at Aithem was highly appreciated by all visitors. Another popular activity amongst the visiting guests was live pottery stall where the visitors tried their hand at shaping an earthen pot, an earthen diya and much more. The live pottery was also appreciated by all visitors especially the youngsters and teenagers who participated in the said activity with great zeal and enthusiasm while visiting the ‘Dogra Village’ at Mubarak Mandi.

A spectacular “Heritage Walk” was also organized to explore the richness of Jammu’s historical lanes and heritage markets which was flagged off by Joint Director Tourism Jammu, Sunaina Sharma, from Amar Mahal and it culminated at Raghunath Bazaar enroute Mubarak Mandi, Fattu Chougan, Hanuman Mandir, Pacca Danga, Kali Janni, Raj Tilak Road, Purani Mandi. Around 150 participants from Central University, Jammu University, Parade College of Women, Mubarak Mandi School participated in the first of its kind ‘Heritage Walk’ organized across old city and were enthralled by the cultural richness and stories of the local markets and lanes of Jammu city.

The Cultural Bonanza at Mubarak Mandi kept the audiences engaged during all festival days with  scintillating folk performances of Asha Kesar, Veer Slathia, Nirbhay Slathia, Varsha Jamwal, Ravi Raghuvanshi, Shubham Shiva, Sonali Dogra,  Santoor Duo of Ravi Sharma and Rohit Sharma, and many more folk dance performances especially Jagrana, Suhaag, Sithniyaan which revived the local celebratory fervour. Highlighting the ethnic Dogri dresses, the culminating day witnessed vividly dressed ‘Ethnic Fashion Show’ which focused on the celebration of Dogra Female attires especially crafted for the occasion by the talented designers of NIFD. The show kept audiences glued to their chairs with the vivid presentation of Dogra Attires well decorated with Gotta Patti and many other designs while elegantly flaunting Parandas embedded in their braids.

Another captivating feature of the Mega Baisakhi celebrations was the display of Basohli Paintings by Antima and Medhavi Sharma which mesmerized the visitors and kept these stalls over crowded with immense response during the Mela.

The Directorate of Tourism Jammu has successfully organized the Baisakhi Festival at Nangali Sahib Gurudwara Poonch, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Reasi, Jia Pota Ghat Akhnoor, Mansar, Gulabgarh Kishtwar in an attempt to keep the festivities going across different regions of Jammu Division. Three days multiple festivities were also  organized at Maharaja Hari Singh Park from where the Grand Shobha Yatra was flagged off on the inaugural day on 13th April, 2023 by Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar  and this venue witnessed 3 days colorful cultural and other traditional activities like Kite Festival on 14th April and revival of traditional games like Santoliya, Stapoo, etc on 15th April along with enthralling cultural performances and open mic opportunities for budding artists and aspiring presenters.

Many other cultural celebrations were held on other parts of Jammu city like Jagrana at Raghunath Bazaar, Kud at Rajinder Bazaar, cultural Performances at Gole Market Gandhi Nagar and Bharat Mata Chowk along with scintillating folk performances at Rajinder Park Canal Road Jammu and Peer Kho Temple Jammu where Dogri Dhaam was also arranged on Baisakhi Eve on 14th April. 

Speaking on the occasion, Director Tourism Jammu, Vivekananda Rai said that this year Baisakhi Mahotsav was organized with traditional fervor upholding the rich cultural heritage of Jammu region. It is wonderful to see that the celebrations included every community and were spread over the entire division.

While briefing the media, Sunaina Sharma Mehta, Joint Director Tourism, Jammu said that the Tourism Department is committed to work towards the revival and celebration of rich Dogra culture, it’s legacy and heritage. She added that enthralling cultural performances, the display of local art-craft and native products like Basohli Art, Pottery items, Raisin Art, etc. were attempted to be revived during the “Basoa Mahotsav” and the Department shall actively engage the audiences and local Stakeholders in future attempts to revive our traditional festivals and cultural ethos. She also appreciated the cooperation and active participation of all local market associations, travel Trade Associations, other local bodies and local stakeholders who supported in the successful organization of this “Basoa Baisakhi Mahotsav” in a grand manner.

This year the “Basoa Baisakhi Mahotsav” showcased variety, uniqueness and affluence of Dogra culture, craft and food. Visitors could be seen enjoying traditional cuisines like Kaladi Kulcha, Rajma Chawal, Kyur etc.  Rich Art and Craft of Jammu like Basohli Painting, Basohli Pashmina, Parola Art, utensils of war hero General Zorawar Singh etc were also on display. The Dogra village setup showcased the legacy of Duggar culture and history. The wafting aroma of delicacies was so innate to Baisakhi ambiance of the traditional village setup and Dogra exhibit “Mere Dasae Da Shalaepa” that the festival provided for a perfect time to rejoice with family and friends in the land of valorous dogras.

Needless to mention here that it was for the first time that the Baisakhi celebrations tempted everyone to participate and to spread the ambiance of joy, cheerfulness, exuberance and vibrancy to the entire Jammu province. To make this event a grand affair the Baisakhi Mahotsav was celebrated at Gulabgarh-Paddar Kishtwar, Mansar, Dera Baba Banda Bahadur Reasi, Gurudwara Nangali Sahib Ji Poonch, JiaPota Ghat Akhnoor, Peerkho, Rajinder Park Canal Road Jammu Maharaja Hari Singh Park Jammu and Mubarak Mandi Complex Jammu along with prominent chowks of Jammu city, encompassing cultural exhibits, Dhol Beating, Nukkad Nataks, Cultural Carnival, Folk performances, Bonfire, fire crackers, Tonga rides etc.